Guy's current mood was even more complicated than Kakashi's when he first became Hokage.
He really didn't expect this.
Kakashi… was no longer single.
He had actually managed to find a girlfriend—and Guy hadn't even noticed until now!
To be honest, Guy was more than a little jealous. Kakashi was his closest friend, his eternal rival, his brother in spirit. If Kakashi suddenly had a girlfriend, that meant he would eventually start a family, settle down, maybe even spend less time with him. That idea alone made Guy's heart twist uncomfortably.
Guy burst into tears, leaning forward as he stared at Kakashi's barely sober face.
"Kakashi, can you tell me what it feels like to have a girlfriend?"
Kakashi chuckled, swirling the drink in his hand. He tilted his head back slightly, eyes unfocused as if he were replaying memories in his mind. A few seconds passed before Kakashi finally smiled—soft, genuine, unguarded.
"This feeling is… wonderful."
Guy didn't understand the details, but judging from Kakashi's expression, he knew it must be something overwhelmingly blissful. And that only made him more jealous.
"Kakashi, how could you do this!" Guy cried dramatically. "Leaving your eternal rival behind in the dust like this!"
But Kakashi just laughed. He could easily see Guy's jealousy, but he also knew Guy felt happy for him beneath all that dramatics.
After the two finished eating, Kakashi was already half drunk. Guy, however, continued drinking fiercely—he had been provoked by Kakashi's stories of romance.
"Hey, are you still drinking?" Kakashi mumbled.
Guy waved a hand stubbornly. "Leave me alone! Let me drink!"
Kakashi pointed at him and laughed. "You really are something."
He sighed and lay back down on the sofa.
"Guy, what are you doing?" Kakashi muttered.
Guy blinked. "What do you mean what am I doing? You're supposed to go home!"
Kakashi turned sluggishly to look at him. "Hey, can you please have some sympathy? I'm already drunk like this, and you still want me to go home? Really now…"
And with that, Kakashi rolled over and promptly fell asleep.
Guy stared at him for a long time. To be honest, he was actually relieved that Kakashi was staying the night. As conflicted as he was, Kakashi's presence made him feel less lonely.
He wanted Kakashi to leave… but he also wanted him to stay.
In the end, Guy simply sighed, took another swig, and muttered, "Forget it… I'll just drink my wine."
Meanwhile—
Outside Kakashi's house.
Shizune stood before the door, biting her lip anxiously.
Ever since she returned home, her mind had been filled with Kakashi—whether she was eating, bathing, or lying in bed. His voice, his face, his warmth… she couldn't get him out of her thoughts.
Love was a poison, and Shizune was thoroughly poisoned.
Eventually, she couldn't take it anymore. She got dressed, stepped outside, and walked straight to Kakashi's house.
But the moment she arrived at the door… she froze.
Should she knock? Would that make her seem desperate? Would Kakashi think she was being too forward?
Two tiny imaginary figures appeared in her mind.
White Shizune:
"If you go knocking like this, you'll look too unreserved!"
Black Shizune:
"What's wrong with being unreserved? If you didn't take the initiative, you and Kakashi wouldn't even be together right now!"
White Shizune:
"It's different now! You're already in a relationship, but you should still be a little reserved!"
Black Shizune:
"Reserved my foot! Follow your heart! Go knock on the door!"
Their arguments escalated, and Shizune felt her heart pounding harder by the second.
Black Shizune practically shouted, "Go! Follow your heart! Go!"
Shizune took a small step forward and raised her hand toward the door—
Until a voice suddenly called out from behind her.
"Who are you?"
Shizune spun around, startled.
Standing behind her… was Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of the Leaf.
"A-Ah! Senior White Fang!"
She bowed deeply out of instinct.
She remembered seeing him at Kakashi's Hokage inauguration ceremony—brought back by Naruto. And besides, Sakumo was one of the legendary Eight Colors of Konoha. Even Shizune admired him.
Sakumo smiled warmly. "Your name is Shizune, right?"
Shizune blinked. "Senior White Fang… knows me?"
Sakumo chuckled. "Kakashi mentioned you. You're his assistant, aren't you?"
Shizune flustered slightly and nodded. "Yes! Yes, that's right!"
Sakumo glanced at the darkened windows of the house and smiled again. "You're here to find Kakashi? He's probably not home."
Shizune blinked and turned to look. Sure enough, the windows were completely dark. She hadn't noticed earlier, thanks to her nervousness. Kakashi usually didn't sleep this early.
Sakumo added, "He probably hasn't returned yet."
Shizune let out a small "oh" and bowed politely. "Then I won't disturb you any longer, Senior White Fang."
Just as she turned to leave, Sakumo lifted a hand gently.
"Wait, Miss Shizune. Since you're already here, why not come inside for a cup of water? Kakashi might be back soon."
Shizune hesitated, embarrassed. "This…"
But he was Kakashi's father. She couldn't refuse without seeming rude.
So she bowed again. "Then I'll accept your hospitality, Uncle."
Sakumo's eyes softened at the word. "Good, good. Come in."
He led her inside.
In the living room, Sakumo poured a cup of hot water for her.
"Thank you, Uncle."
"Just call me uncle," Sakumo insisted. "Calling me 'senior' feels too strange."
Shizune nodded with a shy smile. "Okay… Uncle."
Sakumo studied her closely. The more he looked, the more satisfied he felt.
This is definitely the girl Tsunade meant.
She really is a good one.
After all, Tsunade had been planning to help Shizune with marriage for a while. And Sakumo had gone to Tsunade asking if she knew anyone suitable for Kakashi. The two women put their worries together, compared notes, and—well—everything aligned perfectly.
Sakumo grinned. "Shizune, my Kakashi doesn't bully you, does he?"
Shizune shook her head quickly. "No! Kakashi… Hokage-sama is a very kind person."
"That's good. That's very good." Sakumo nodded. "You young people must talk to each other more. If you ever have conflicts, learn to give way to each other."
"Yes, Uncle."
Sakumo then glanced out the window.
"Why hasn't that brat come back yet? The office should've closed long ago!"
Shizune frowned. It was strange. Kakashi should have returned home by now.
"Uncle, why don't I go check the Hokage's office?"
Sakumo nodded. "Alright. Be careful."
Shizune stood up, bowed politely. "Thank you for the water, Uncle."
"Oh please, it's just a cup of water. Come next time and I'll cook for you—then it'll count as hospitality."
Shizune smiled shyly. "Okay, Uncle."
Sakumo walked her to the door, watched her leave, and sighed contentedly.
"A good girl… Kakashi is really lucky. But where did that brat run off to?!!"
Hokage Office Building.
Shizune arrived quickly, but the entire office was already dark. She asked the night-shift attendants and learned that Kakashi had left long ago.
"Strange… where did that guy go?"
Dear Readers
For 60 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------
Please Support My Patreon